Thank God for Missionaries like the Plasters
December 17, 2005
http://www.tribulationperiod.com/
Many years ago, when I was in my forties, I did two revivals for an old church in northeastern Texas. The Pastor was a young man named Kevin Plaster. I was extremely impressed by the dedicati on
he and his wife Tammy had for the Lord’s work, so I was not surprised when they went on the mission field in Russia. As a young man, starting in my twenties, I lived in Islamic countries and, by the time I retired from the National Security Agency (USAF) in 1971, had lived among Muslims, gone to schools with them, and been an instructor to them.
During that time I witnessed to some of them, with very much the same results
Kevin describes in his report, which follows.
Had it not been for the quick intervention of some of my comrades in a narrow street in Libya, I might not be writing this today.
I got a post NSA experience of witnessing and preaching in Lithuania, a former soviet controlled nation, in the eighties when I spent two weeks with Brother Joe Morell and lectured in the MB seminary there.
We passed out tracts on the streets and had different sorts of reactions from those who received them from bad to good.
When Kevin and Tammy went to Russia I prayed for them, and still do, but there was a tiny question mark in my mind as to just how dedicated he was to the Lord in his commitment to Christ. I was like the disciples who were praying for Peter’s release from prison, but were absolutely shocked when he knocked on the door of the house where they were praying. They were overjoyed when they saw that God had seen to the release of Peter, and I was overjoyed while I watched God deliver the Plasters from disaster after disaster. Our church gives about 25 percent of its total offerings to missions, and once we start supporting someone we continue to support them until they fall off the earth, so up to this point we have not had an opening for the works in Russia but, after this letter from Kevin, I intend to ask the church to start supporting this work. Please read the letter. His e-mail address is included at the end. His mailing address is Kazanskaya Street 51/12, St.Petersburg, Russia, Zip Code 190031. Kenin’s sponsoring church is Cornerstone Baptist Church, P.O. Box 7403, Amarillo, Texas, 79114-7403.
WITNESSING IN RUSSIA
Among Muslims
The second edition of the “Gospel to the Afghans” was finally printed. This time there were 800 copies instead of 200 as per the first distribution. The first print company refused to print it again fearing retribution.
Andrew and I met early in the morning just like we did last time to pass them out. However, we were joined by four others, for a total of six.
The ground was frozen and crunched with every footstep. We sounded like an invading army.
Needless to say this woke the night watchman who wanted to know what we were doing. He confronted one of us. But just because one was caught, didn’t mean everyone was caught. So the rest continued laying out the papers.
Our two Afghan friends said the paper was well received by most of the Afghanis. Some old men raised Cain, but most just simply hid the paper among their things so they could read it later.
Both Afghan Christians were suspected as being a part of this paper. One received a few threats.
The other was fired from his job. The employer said he did not want to be “guilty by association.”
On Monday evening, December 12th the man who lost his job was seriously beaten by five men.
His brother saw what was happening and attacked the thugs with a knife. The brother was then beaten and hospitalized as a result of his injuries.
Uri
Uri is one of our church members. He came to church on Sunday, November 13th with dried blood around his left eye and in his hair. His glasses were broken but taped back together.
Uri is a good guy, just not the brightest star in the heavens. I asked what happened and he said he witnessed to his neighbor in the apartment below him Saturday night.
Well, the results were evident. The real kicker is that Uri said this was the second time he witnessed to this neighbor with the exact same results.
Street Evangelism
Wednesday, November 16th, Yoko and I were on the street passing out tracts by the nearest subway station. She was on one side of the street and I was on the other.
When I pass out tracts I tell those passing by that I have information about the love of God and offer a tract. One man received the tract and was very agitated. He started screaming in my face, “This is a bluff.
This is a bluff.” I told him if he wanted to talk to me he would have to talk in such a manner as to not draw attention to us. He lowered his voice some.
He noticed I speak with an accent. He asked where I was from and I told him from America. He started screaming at me again, this time about Iraq. I told him to speak more softly and that this was neither the time nor place to discuss Iraq. He then started complaining about his own president and Russia’s political agendas.
I told him I didn’t t know about the policies but respected Putin and his position as President of Russia. I was shocked that the man publicly spoke negative of Putin.
Then he said, “I hate Bush.” I said, “I love Bush,” and he shoved me. He said, “I hate America.” I said, “I love America,” and he shoved me again. He put his hand on my chest and said, “I hate you and could just kill you.” I said, “Mister, if you shove me again, we need to go around the corner and there I will show you what kind of person I am.” At that point he ran across the street.
Yoko was standing across the street watching the whole show. She said that he took off when he saw the police coming. I thought it might have been something I said. I never saw the police. I just know that you are not allowed to cause a scene in public. The good news is that people around just had to have the information that so agitated this man and made him scream at me. Honestly, sometimes my job seems a little stressful.
FWIW (For What it’s Worth)
Missionary Stress
I find it extremely offensive to personally experience repercussions for witnessing and sharing the Gospel of Christ. The apostle Peter said we are happy if we suffer for righteousness sake and that we should not be ashamed if we suffer as a Christian but to rather glorify God. I think I know why the verses are in the Bible because there is a tendency, with me at least, not to be the least bit happy about it.
About three years ago I was hit while witnessing and that did a number on me.
I wanted to beat the person who did it.
I had trouble, at first, caring about the people I witnessed to. Then I had trouble going back out on the street and telling others of God s love. It seems that just recently I have gotten over the anger that resulted from that situation.
I heard one woman say, “I would die for Jesus.” It sounds like arrogance to me. I always seem to find a well of self-preservation readily available. If I die for Christ, it will be because somebody took my life, not because I laid it down.
At times stress from the reality of “missions” can be completely off the charts and wipe out a missionary. During these times it is hard to be the encourager or inspire others to greater service for Christ. Actually the tendency among foreign missionaries is to be judgmental toward others who have not “suffered like I have.”
Stress for missionaries comes from so many sources, not just from the spiritual aspect.
Pray for missions, and missionaries, daily. Who knows, your intercession on their behalf may be what God uses to deliver an extra helping of His grace.
Keep us in your prayers,
Kevin
plaster_russia96@hotmail.com